S o my mind is wandering again trying to see a picture from the puzzle pieces I have. One piece is a little girl who is going to have a part in my life at least for the near future. Another piece is my promise to my father to befriend Shimmy Gutman of all people. The class Mishnayos project is also a piece. Then Rebbi says “Weiss please summarize what I just said for the rest of the class.”
My heart does a kind of somersault. I search desperately for the line where we were holding. Chaim coughs so I’ll notice that he’s pointing at the correct place in his Gemara. I clear my throat a few times then read through it really quickly and mumble a few words as if I know what I’m talking about. Unfortunately Rebbi doesn’t buy the bluff. He repeats his request adding “Could you please speak more loudly Weiss? I didn’t exactly understand what you said.”
My stomach feels like it’s being squeezed in a giant fist but I give it another try. Praying that something will distract Rebbi’s attention from me I skim through the lines like a bolt of lightning plus a few mangled sentences that nobody could understand including me.
There is quiet in the classroom. “Weiss I’m sorry but I still don’t hear you clearly. Please repeat what you said.”
